What is the shadowy political group sending racist messages attacking Rep. Juan Ciscomani?

A newly formed political group was sending out racist text messages to influence one of Arizona's most hotly contested congressional races, but it was unclear who was behind the political attacks.

The group, called Save Western Culture, sent mass text messages referring to incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., as "Mexican-born" and claiming he had voted against U.S. interests.

It also sent out mailers calling Ciscomani a "RINO" — or "Republican In Name Only" — who "failed to stop the flow of illegal immigration into Arizona."

Ciscomani moved to Arizona from Mexico when he was a young child and made history as the first naturalized American to represent Arizona in Congress.

His campaign immediately decried the text messages as racist and said they were an attempt at "voter suppression." He alleged the texts were sent by allies of his Democratic opponent, Kirsten Engel, a former state lawmaker.

"These calls and messages are illegal and racist," Ciscomani said in a written statement posted to social media. "They don't disclose who is paying for the message. And they attack me for being an immigrant. I am a proud immigrant who is fighting every day to preserve the American Dream."

In a statement to The Arizona Republic, Engel condemned the text messages and said she has "no connection" to the group and hadn't heard of them before.

"I strongly condemn the racist attacks against my opponent. Vile language like this doesn't belong in our politics," Engel wrote. "I urge them to stop this campaign immediately."

The group has spent around $60,000 against Ciscomani in Arizona's 6th Congressional District, according to campaign finance records.

It also has spent around $10,000 against Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz. , the state's other vulnerable incumbent U.S. House member. Schweikert is locked in a tight race with Democrat Amish Shah in the Scottsdale-area 1st Congressional District.

Schweikert's campaign sent out a written statement in response to anonymous voicemails and text messages, accusing "Shah and the Democrats" of engaging in "voter suppression." Shah, through a spokesperson, told The Republic: "These allegations appear to be baseless, as they do not provide any specific examples or incidents related to Congressional District One."

Save Western Culture is spending money in more than two dozen competitive congressional races across the country, according to its campaign finance reports.

Republicans say the eleventh-hour activity is an attempt to siphon conservative voters away from vulnerable GOP incumbents.

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Finance reports offer few clues about Save Western Culture

Little is publicly known about Save Western Culture, the group slinging the allegations against Ciscomani.

The group was formed in mid-October and hasn't yet reported its donors.

Its finance reports offer sparse clues. The group paid a company called Apex Growth Strategies for advertising work across the country. That company is owned by Phoenix-based lobbyist Gibson McKay.

According to his social media, McKay is a seasoned lobbyist who has worked with some of Arizona's well-respected political consulting firms and institutions. He worked for the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Republican, and he has spent several decades working on lobbying and campaign strategy.

Daniel Scarpinato, an aide to Ciscomani, told The Arizona Republic that he spoke with McKay on the phone after learning about his link to Save Western Culture.

According to Scarpinato's account of the conversation, McKay said a Democrat-aligned group was behind the text messages, and he seemed surprised to learn that they had racist content.

McKay did not return The Arizona Republic's multiple requests for comment.

McKay previously was censured by Republicans in Arizona's Legislative District 5 after party leaders said he participated in a fundraiser for Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat now running for the Senate.

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